Key Takeaways
• DEA Honolulu now focuses on immigration violations, arresting 20 undocumented immigrants during Trump’s intensified crackdown beginning January 2025.
• Hawaii lawmakers introduced House Bill 438 to fund legal aid and House Bill 22 to limit state-federal immigration collaboration.
• Trump’s removal of immigration safeguards at sensitive locations prompted Hawaii’s proposed House Bill 440 to restrict ICE access in such areas.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Honolulu 🇺🇸 is taking a new approach by expanding its focus to immigration violations. This marks a major shift in its usual operations, which have historically zeroed in on drug-related offenses. This change aligns with President Trump’s intensified immigration crackdown, which began in early 2025, and highlights how federal agencies are now working together in non-traditional ways to enforce immigration laws.
On January 30, 2025, the DEA’s Los Angeles division revealed on social media that it was assisting the DEA in Honolulu in tackling immigration-related offenses. This cooperative effort also includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its subdivisions, such as Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). These collaborations have already led to the arrests of at least 20 undocumented immigrants in the first week of President Trump’s administration.
High-Profile Arrests in Honolulu
Among those detained in Honolulu were Yoon Ja Carter and Moshe Greidy, who were both arrested on January 26, 2025. Their arrests were carried out by HSI and ERO agents with assistance from the DEA. Social media posts from the Honolulu HSI division highlighted Greidy’s alleged violation of U.S. immigration laws. In addition, Rays Rayphand was one of eight individuals apprehended across the island of Oahu as part of this intensified focus on immigration enforcement.
The arrests signal a notable shift in the DEA’s priorities and suggest a broader strategy by the federal government under the Trump administration. While these arrests primarily targeted undocumented immigrants with past criminal records or standing deportation orders, legal experts warn that the net could widen. Attorney Gary Singh, who represents several detainees, pointed out that this could be “just round one,” hinting that future enforcement may target individuals who overstayed their visas or gained residency through marriage.
Rising Concerns Over Agency Roles
The DEA’s entry into immigration enforcement raises several questions about the roles and duties of federal agencies. The DEA, which is traditionally tasked with combating drug trafficking and related crimes, has now added immigration-related offenses to its responsibilities. Critics argue this could pull resources away from its core mission of fighting illicit drug activities.
In addition, immigration advocates and legal experts have expressed concern about civil rights. They warn of the potential for enforcement overreach and stress that the immigrant community needs to understand their rights if approached by immigration officers. Sandy Ma from The Legal Clinic and Salmah Rizvi from the ACLU of Hawaii emphasized that individuals are not required to answer questions about their immigration status without a lawyer or to let ICE enter their homes without a warrant signed by a judge. These reminders come as immigrant communities in Hawaii 🇺🇸 are growing increasingly anxious about the implications of the Trump administration’s crackdown.
Legislative Efforts in Hawaii
In response to these federal actions, Hawaii has begun implementing legislative measures to safeguard immigrants’ rights. On January 29, 2025, lawmakers at the state Capitol were prioritizing immigration-related bills to respond to the federal crackdown. Representative Greggor Ilagan, who chairs the Economic Development and Technology Committee, has fast-tracked these bills, often pushing them ahead of other pending legislation due to the urgency of the situation.
One major piece of proposed legislation is House Bill 438, which seeks to fund programs providing attorneys to individuals in immigration court. This bill aims to ensure fair legal representation, especially for those unable to afford counsel. Another, House Bill 457, would require law enforcement to inform people in custody of their rights in their native language before they are questioned by immigration agents. Furthermore, House Bill 22 proposes restricting Hawaii’s local and state law enforcement agencies from working with federal agents on immigration matters. This reflects Hawaii’s long-standing pride in its immigrant roots and its commitment to protecting the state’s richly diverse community.
House Bill 440 also aims to restore protections that have been removed under the Trump administration. The bill would limit ICE’s ability to enter crisis points like schools, hospitals, and churches to carry out arrests, seeking to protect vulnerable immigrant populations from avoiding essential services.
Growing Anxiety in Immigrant Communities
News of these enforcement shifts has understandably sparked fear within Hawaii’s immigrant communities. Advocacy groups report instances where rumors of ICE activity have driven some parents to keep their children home from school or caused workers to stay at home, afraid to leave for their jobs. Liza Ryan Gill of the Hawaii Coalition for Immigrant Rights noted the damaging impact of these fears on daily life.
In light of these emotions, advocates are working to share essential information about immigrant rights. Organizations emphasize that undocumented immigrants should feel empowered to understand their legal options and resist potential overreach by immigration agents. Meanwhile, immigrant rights groups continue to monitor arrests and the potential targeting of larger, more vulnerable communities.
State Support and Opposition to Federal Policies
Hawaii state leaders are also joining the effort to guard against federal overreach. Governor Josh Green, for instance, has promised to allocate $20 million to the state Attorney General’s Office over the next two fiscal years to fund lawsuits opposing Trump administration policies. While it remains unclear how the state plans to handle ongoing federal actions in real time, Attorney General Anne Lopez assured that the office would act if any violations of the law were identified.
Spokesperson Toni Schwartz added that the state has not participated in the recent immigration enforcement activities led by Homeland Security. Nevertheless, Hawaii’s leaders continue to voice their opposition to policies that undermine civil rights, working on both legal and legislative fronts to protect their communities.
Scrapping of a Key Immigration Safeguard
One of the most controversial changes by President Trump is the removal of a Biden-era rule that barred immigration enforcement in sensitive locations like schools and healthcare facilities. Critics warn that this could discourage families from seeking education or healthcare for fear of being arrested. The change has left many worried that necessary services might be out of reach for undocumented immigrants, further alienating already vulnerable groups.
To counteract this change, Hawaii lawmakers introduced House Bill 440, which aims to establish clear rules allowing ICE agents access to such facilities only under strict conditions. This is seen as a key step in preserving public trust and ensuring continued access to education and healthcare for immigrant families.
The Road Ahead
The DEA’s new role in Honolulu immigration enforcement highlights just how interconnected federal agencies are becoming in implementing immigration policies under the Trump administration. While the DEA’s involvement brings additional resources to federal immigration efforts, it also signals an expansion in what types of cases the agency might consider “priority.”
This shift has also forced Hawaii 🇺🇸 to reckon with balancing its cultural identity and immigrant-historic pride against a federal government agenda that it largely opposes. As these actions unfold, legislative efforts like those led by Representative Ilagan and legal challenges might set a precedent not just for Hawaii but for other states grappling with the same issues.
The implications of this expanded federal enforcement approach, particularly the DEA’s redefined mission, are still unfolding. For now, both advocates and legal experts stress the importance of knowing and defending the rights of individuals targeted under these sweeping policies. For more details on your rights during interactions with immigration agents, visit the official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website or follow updates on VisaVerge.com, which provides in-depth analysis on immigration trends.
Whether these changes lead to a safer or more divided America remains to be seen, but the coming months will undoubtedly bring both challenges and opportunities for Hawaii’s government, communities, and immigrants.
Learn Today
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) → Federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and managing detention and deportation of undocumented individuals.
Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) → ICE subdivision focusing on identifying, apprehending, and removing individuals violating U.S. immigration laws.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) → Division of ICE specializing in investigating cross-border crime, including immigration violations and human trafficking.
Sensitive Locations → Areas like schools or hospitals where immigration enforcement activities were previously restricted to protect vulnerable populations.
Undocumented Immigrants → Individuals residing in a country without legal authorization or valid immigration status.
This Article in a Nutshell
The DEA in Honolulu shifts focus to immigration enforcement, partnering with ICE under Trump’s intensified crackdown. This unprecedented collaboration signals broader agency roles but raises concerns over civil rights. Hawaii responds with protective legislation, upholding its immigrant-rich identity. Advocates urge communities to understand their rights as federal policies evolve and tensions mount.
— By VisaVerge.com
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